Connecting the person with dementia and family: a feasibility study of a telepresence robot

BMC Geriatrics

Research Article

Billy Sung¹  Suzie Drummond¹  Cindy Jones²  Siobhan O’Dwyer³  Marie Cooke⁴  Wendy Moyle⁵ 

[1] Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, Carers and Consumers, QUT, Brisbane, Australia;Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road, QLD, Brisbane4111, Australia;Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, 4111, Brisbane, QLD, Australia;School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road, QLD, Brisbane4111, Australia;Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, Carers and Consumers, QUT, Brisbane, Australia;

关键词: Dementia;    Telepresence robots;    Communication;    Family;    Long-term care;    Technology;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2318-14-7

 received in 2013-11-01, accepted in 2014-01-22,  发布年份 2014

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMaintenance of communication is important for people with dementia living in long-term care. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using “Giraff”, a telepresence robot to enhance engagement between family and a person with dementia living in long-term care.MethodsA mixed-methods approach involving semi-structured interviews, call records and video observational data was used. Five people with dementia and their family member participated in a discussion via the Giraff robot for a minimum of six times over a six-week period. A feasibility framework was used to assess feasibility and included video analysis of emotional response and engagement.ResultsTwenty-six calls with an average duration of 23 mins took place. Residents showed a general state of positive emotions across the calls with a high level of engagement and a minimal level of negative emotions. Participants enjoyed the experience and families reported that the Giraff robot offered the opportunity to reduce social isolation. A number of software and hardware challenges were encountered.ConclusionsParticipants perceived this novel approach to engage families and people with dementia as a feasible option. Participants were observed and also reported to enjoy the experience. The technical challenges identified have been improved in a newer version of the robot. Future research should include a feasibility trial of longer duration, with a larger sample and a cost analysis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Moyle et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2014